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Originally Posted by olddog
The question was posed by old4hats about the number of turtledog stands that had been built. Went back and reviewed a few threads, the Turtlelady stand, the TurtleDog stand and a thread by domromer. Here is what I was able to find and assume that there may be others.

I called it the TurtleDog 2.0 and the post is here. I have changed something since making that version (call it 2.1). I don't use the hook to hold the pipe down and would probably replace that system with a couple of small eyebolts on the two side legs near the top and then just run some amsteel (or cheaper rope) from one side to the other over the pipe to hold it down. In practice though, I don't really need anything to hold the pipe on top other than the cradle that I made on top... but safer is better.

Mine are 7 feet but that is because I need it to be tall for a huge hammock that is 14 feet long (if they were 6' my butt would be dragging on the ground even with the rail on top design). You gain 4-6 inches by putting it on top so you can remove that much from your legs if you are trying to shorten them.

Had a wonderful night's sleep. However, some observations/comments about my TDS. First - I made a bonehead move when cutting my top rail pipe. I finally found and purchased two, 10' toprails with swaged ends for connecting. I made mine 14', but cut from the same end on both - leaving me with two swaged end pieces rather than just one - DOH!! Had bought the end caps - so won't be using those, as a result.

Second - I am suspect of the lightweight T-hinges I used. Definitely prone to bending, and makes the stand rather rickety feeling. Will be swapping out for heavier ones. I also could barely fish an S-hook through the open hole - and had to use a small one because of the hole size. So, the next morning I fashioned up a continuous loop out of 7/64 Amsteel and girth hitched it to the hinge, and connected a galvy 'beiner to that:

Also - left my legs at full length - will be reducing by 6-12".

Will get it all sorted out - sure easy to set up!!!! Thanks again everyone who contributed to the TurtleDog Evolution Revolution!!